Governing Andorra (Part 1)

By David Hope

The reference on the two Europa issues of 1982 to the formation
of the Andorran Government prompted an investigation into the
political arrangements in the country since the Paréage of 1278.

The Paréage contracted between Mgr. Pierre d'Urg, Bishop of
Urgell (SG121) and Roger Bernard III, Comte de Foix, stated in its
principle clauses:

Each of the two Seigneurs would receive the Questia (or tribute) alternately

Each Seigneur would name his Veguer or lieutenant

Each of them had the right to arm the Andorrans to fight for
them except in the case of war between themselves

Each of them should administer justice through the
intermediary offices of his Batlle (judge)

(SG F287, F292 and SG 110)

The paréage was confirmed in 1288 (SG F 191) as the result of
the Comte de Foix building a castle above Santa Coloma (SG F281).
This was stopped and from that time Andorra was finally placed under
the authority of the Co-Princes. This dual arrangement it seems
kept Andorra out of the various conflicts which beset France and
Spain during the Medieval period.

The Co-Princes themselves did not meet to discuss matters but
operated through their intermediaries, the Veguers. They resided in
Andorra and issued decrees which became laws as long as both sides
agreed. They also saw that justice was done and public order kept.

Gradually it became the norm for both Co-Princes to also appoint
a Permanent Delegation. On the Bishop's side the Permanent delegate
remains the Vicar General of the Diocese of Urgell. On the French
side the delegate is now the Prefect of the Department of the Eastern
Pyrenees. The Permanent Delegates deal with contentious matters.
Whereas the Co-Princes seem to have had overall
authority, internally it seems that affairs were
managed by a group of heads of families. However,
in 1419 the Co-Princes agreed to the setting up of
the Consell de la Terra to look after internal
affairs (French Europa 1982). By this system
councillors were freely elected by the people. The
Councillors themselves then elected Syndics to head
the Council and carry out the administration.

During the following century the title of Comte de Foix passed
to the Kings of France. In succeeding reigns the Kings confirmed
the privileges extended to the Syndics of Andorra. An edict of
Louis XIII is shown on the Customs Co-operation Council issue of
1983 (French Andorra).

As a result of the French Revolution the office of French Co-Prince ended.
The revolutionaries told the Andorrans that they were
free. However, the Bishop had no intentions of relinquishing his
title. After a few years the Consell de la Terra decided that they
would prefer to have two Princes rather than one. They probably
felt that the Bishop having both temporal and spiritual powers was
rather too much. In 1806 Napoleon Bonaparte, now Emperor of the
French, was petitioned to re-establish the status quo. This he did
by decree. (SG F 190, F 304)

After Napoleon the Kings of France continued as Co-Princes
until 1848 when Louis Napoleon, as President of
France, assumed the title. He proclaimed himself
Emperor in 1851. After his abdication in 1870 the
title of Co-Prince has rested with the Presidents of
France. This has led to some problems in that the
presidents consider that as a result France itself has
an interest in Andorran affairs. On the other hand
the Spanish Government can make no such claims as the bishop's
authority rests with the Pope in Rome.

Over the centuries the Consell de la Terra came under the control
of the "Caps grossos" or leading families. By the 19th century
opposition arose to the paternalistic nature on the Consell. As a
result in 1866 the New Reform was introduced instigated by Syndic
Guillem de Areny y de Plandolit (SG F 285).
The Main points of the New Reform were:

The Consell de la Terra was replaced by the Very Illustrious
General Council of the Valleys

The right to vote was given to all heads of families
(Caps de casa)

The General Council was to consist of 24 members (4 from
each parish) elected for four years. Elections were to
take place every two years for half the Council.
The Councillors elected the Syndic General and Vice Syndic.

The duties of the Syndic General were to:

Summon meetings of the Consell General

Take charge of administrative documents

Keep the Seals of the Valleys

Cast the decisive vote where an equal division occurs.

The Consell General dealt with:

Irrigation, fishing, shooting and forestry

Upkeep of roads

Taxes for each Parish

Checking of weights and measures

Study of matters of general interest

The Consell also handed to each Co-Prince the "sisena" ( a list
of six Andorrans, one from each Parish) from whom the Prince
chose his Batlle (judge).
(New Reform stamps: SG F 201, Spanish Europa 1982, SG 122 Josep
Caixal, Spanish Co-Prince at the time of the New Reform)